Nancy "Nanny" Boyd

Funeral services for Mrs. Nancy "Nanny" Boyd, age 84, of Avinger, Texas, will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 29, 2024, in the chapel of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Linden. Burial will follow at Pruitt Lake Cemetery, under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Linden. There will be a time of visitation with the family from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Saturday, September 28, 2024, at the funeral home.
Nancy Latham Boyd, AKA, Nanny, aged 84 left us gracefully surrounded by family in the early hours of Thursday, September 26, 2024, at her home in Avinger, Texas. Waiting to welcome her were her parents, grandparents, countless cousins and aunts and uncles, brother, Earl Latham, sisters, Annie Woods and Janie Jones, her great-granddaughter, Layken Tola Boyd, and her beloved son, Victor Wayne "Bo" Boyd.
Born on Saturday, March 30, 1940, in Bryan's Mill, Texas, she was the daughter of Beatrice McKinney Latham and Leon Latham. She joined an older brother, Earl and was joined by sisters Francis, Janie, Annie, Dinah, LaNell, and brother, Doug. As the eldest sister, Nancy spent her early years attending church services (she never missed a Sunday service for 16 years) and helping to take care of her younger siblings, a trait that would come to define her.
In her teens, Nancy began waitressing at a diner in Hughes Springs, Texas. This is where she met Gordon Wayne Boyd of Avinger, Texas. As family lore recounts it, the two, both dating other people at the time, went on one date, which was apparently a spectacular success resulting in a visit to the Justice of the Peace in Ore City, Texas the next day that culminated in a sixty-seven-year, two weeklong marriage. The couple first resided in El Paso due to Gordon's Army service, soon welcomed a daughter, Penny, who was quickly joined by brothers, Victor and Rex. The young family eventually landed in Mesquite, Texas where Nancy cared for her family as a clever accountant, wonderful cook, amazing seamstress, organizer extraordinaire, and all-around domestic goddess. After their children left home, Nancy, AKA Nanny and Gordon, AKA Grandaddy moved to Avinger, Texas where they lovingly built their lifelong home. There Nancy continued her sewing, cooking, accounting, organizing, and all-around caretaking. Nanny also enjoyed watching her much loved Dallas Cowboys, playing games, especially Wahoo, watching game shows, reading insatiably, listening to Elvis, gardening, watching hummingbirds and ducks, especially near her pond. She and Granddaddy enjoyed camping at the lake and sharing holidays and visits with family, especially their grandchildren.
Although she ferociously loved her three children, her most treasured accomplishments were her 13 grandchildren, 32 precious great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. She burst with pride when discussing "her accomplishments" numerous accomplishments, including a Lt. Colonel in the Air Force, years of Naval and Army service, two licensed Cosmetologists, four educators, a plumber, 2 associate's degrees, 4 bachelor's degrees, 2 master's degrees, parents, small business owners, non-profit administrators, office administrators, an insurance agent, photographers, and countless other wins, successes, and trophies along the way.
Nanny was a caretaker in every sense of the word. You never left Nanny's hungry or without hugging her neck. She loved unapologetically and forever. If you belonged to her that was an unbreakable, cemented bond. She was the matriarch of our family, and her loss has left an unfillable chasm. However, she imparted some of her many skills to all that she loved. We will each remember her and keep her alive as we take care of and love each other. As this family she and Grandaddy created live on so will she. We love you, Nanny, forever, and we will never turn off our giggle boxes.